Civil War

This Week in the Civil War

00000174-b11b-ddc3-a1fc-bfdbb1a20000The Schreiner University Department of History is honoring the sesquicentennial of the American Civil War with a series of short vignettes focusing on events from 1861 through 1865. The Civil War was the most destructive conflict in American history, but it was also one of our most defining moments as a people and as a nation. Let us know what you think about "This Week in the Civil War." E-mail your comments to Dr. John Huddleston at jhuddles@schreiner.edu.Airs: Weekdays at 5:19 a.m., 8:19 a.m., 4:19 p.m. on KTXI and 4:49 a.m., 9:29 p.m. on KSTX.

This Week in the Civil War - 664

Texas Public Radio | By Texas Public Radio

Published September 24, 2013 at 10:58 AM CDT

In Washington, D.C. after a series of meetings on Wednesday, September 23, 1863, with Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, Cabinet, and military leaders President Abraham Lincoln, responding to Rosecrans’ defeat at Chickamauga, ordered the Eleventh and Twelfth Corps of the Army of the Potomac, commanded by Joseph Hooker, west to reinforce Rosecrans’ embattled army.

Many believed such a massive movement of men, equipment, and supplies would take a month or more; clearly Rosecrans needed reinforcement sooner. Telegrams were dispatched to both the Army and the railroads, rail lines commandeered, and red tape broken.

In just seven days the transfer was completed in one of the most brilliant logistical operations of the American Civil War. A determined president, Stanton, the Union War Department, and the railroads made it possible.